Women’s soccer team bouyant

ZAMBIA women football team players are bubbling with confidence ahead of the Namibia 2014 Africa Championship preliminary round, first leg qualifier match against Tanzania to be played on Friday at Nkoloma Stadium.

Speaking in separate interviews after yesterday’s training session at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka, players spoken to said they were ready for the encounter.

Defender Emeldah Musonda said she had no doubt that Zambia would emerge victorious going by the way the team had been preparing. She was however quick to urge her teammates against underrating Tanzania.

“We are winning and I have no doubt about that. We shall not underrate Tanzania in anyway because it won’t be an easy game since their aim is also to qualify for the Africa Women Championship,” she said

Musonda called on fans to turn up in numbers and rally behind the team as it starts its quest to qualify for continental championships for the first time.

Striker Misozi Zulu equally expressed confidence that Zambia would give Tanzania a good beating to take advantage of the return leg set for two weeks time in Dar-es-salaam.

Carol Howes, who is also a striker, said the team has home ground advantage and a good crop of players to get the needed result against Tanzania.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) technical director Honour Janza said the team was ready to face the East Africans.

Janza said he was impressed with fitness levels of the players following tests that were conducted on Monday.

He said the inclusion of Chipolopolo coach Patrice Beaumelle to assist the team had paid dividends judging by the way the players had responded to his training.

Stand-in- Coach Charles Bwale expressed happiness with the dedication shown by the players as he prepares to name the final 18 players tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Tanzania is expected to arrive in the country tomorrow. Rwandan referee Salma Mukansanga will officiate during  match and will be assisted by her compatriots Francine Ingabire, Sandrine Murangwa and Angelique Tuyishime.